FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEST. CATHARINE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATIONThursday, December 18, 2014

PATRIOT WRESTLERS IN ACTION AT WARRIOR DUALS

The Patriot wrestling squad continues to show improvement this season as they competed in the Warrior Duals at Indiana Tech University over the weekend. They took on some of the best wrestling squads in the country. Three out of the four teams they faced were ranked in the top 20 and the other, Missouri Baptist, is currently receiving votes.

Their team scores weren’t that great, but according to head coach Spencer Adams he isn’t discouraged, “Our team scores weren’t what I’d like, but as individuals I thought the guys did great all weekend.” “We weren’t really wrestling up to our level in the first couple of matches, but we sat the guys down and got their heads right and we ended on a good note.”

Their closest match came against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.), who is currently ranked 11th in the NAIA coaches top 20 poll. The Patriots fell to the Eagles by a score of 28-21. Adams noted that this was when his team turned it around, “I thought Embry-Riddle was the match that we turned it around. If we didn’t have to forfeit three weight classes then we would’ve beaten them and they’re one of the top teams in the country.”

BJ Carman (New Haven, Ky.) picked up two wins against wrestlers who were ranked in the top 20 in the country in the 197 weight class. Carman lost his first match, but rebounded and ended the weekend with three wins straight for a 3-1 record. After losing his first match, Carman defeated Andrew Mahone from Missouri Baptist with a 7-4 decision. Mahone was ranked 16th in the individual rankings. Carman then pinned Mitchell Major from Embry-Riddle. He then picked up his third win in a row in a 4-3 decision against Baker’s (Kan.) William Leone – who was ranked 12th in 197.

Mitch Rusch, (Louisville, Ky.) not to be outdone by his teammate, also had a good showing at the Warrior Duals. After dropping his first two matches, Rusch recovered and ended with two wins to finish the weekend with a 2-2 record. Rusch picked up a win by pin against Embry-Riddle’s Luke Riley – who was ranked No. 9 in 165. He then picked up a 9-7 sudden victory in the first overtime against Baker’s Bryan Brown.

The “Grappling Patriots” will return to action after the holidays on January 9th when they host their first ever home match. They will be in action in a tri-meet with Life (Ga.) and William Baptist (Ark.).